SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – After stressful pandemic years, we’re going into a history-making winter season this year – the first when we have vaccines for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
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Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at UCSF, as well as an infectious disease specialist, said that makes it a time for “jubilation,” though he warned that it also may be a confusing time, since recommendations for the vaccines vary. Chin-Hong joined KCBS Radio’s Alice Wertz on the latest “As Prescribed” episode to help clear things up.
“Not everybody is eligible for all of the vaccines,” he explained. “So, the first thing to think about is, are you the highest risk... for COVID and flu?”
In many cases, those most vulnerable include the elderly and infants. Still, recommendations vary. Here’s what the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for vaccinations:
COVID-19 – Everyone 5 years old and older should get one updated dose (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least two months after their last shot to be up to date. Those who are immunocompromised may get additional doses, and children aged 6 months to 4 years old need multiple does in order to get up to date.
Flu – Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone in the U.S. age 6 months and older.
RSV – Adults over 60 should get one dose of the new vaccine. Single doses of monoclonal antibodies are also available for all infants younger than 8 months born during or entering their first RSV season, and infants and children 8–19 months old who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season.
“We’re mainly seeing a lot of COVID cases and RSV season hasn’t really started in full force,” said Chin-Hong of the current virus conditions. As we get deeper into the fall and winter seasons, it is possible that people could get multiple viral infections at once.
Listen to his full “As Prescribed” discussion for more information about when to get vaccinated and how to stay safe. You can also listen to last week’s “As Prescribed” on the deadly link between artificial quartz and silicosis here.
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